A NEW study has found that body-weight cycling, commonly known as yo-yo dieting, significantly increases the risk of kidney disease in individuals with Type 1 diabetes, regardless of body mass index (BMI) and other traditional risk factors.
Yo-yo dieting refers to repeated cycles of weight loss and regain over the years. This pattern is reported to affect up to 35% of men and 55% of women. While previous studies have linked it to cardiovascular risks in the general population and those with Type 2 diabetes, this is the first study to establish a connection between yo-yo dieting and kidney disease in people with Type 1 diabetes.
Historically, Type 1 diabetes has been associated with lean individuals. However, obesity is becoming increasingly common among those with the condition, mirroring trends in the general population.
The team explained the study’s significance: “We showed that high body-weight variability is associated with increased risk of different outcomes of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progressions in people with Type 1 diabetes, independently of traditional DKD risk factors. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing this association.”
Researchers analysed six years of body-weight data from 1,432 participants in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. To identify yo-yo dieting patterns, they used an index called “variability independent of the mean” (VIM), which measures fluctuations above and below an individual’s average body weight.
Participants with higher weight fluctuations experienced a 40% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a key measure of kidney function. Additionally, they were more likely to develop albuminuria, a condition where excessive protein is present in urine, indicating kidney damage. Other kidney function markers also confirmed similar findings.
While the exact mechanisms behind this link remain unclear, researchers suggest that insulin therapy, essential for Type 1 diabetes management, may contribute to body-weight cycling. Others propose that frequent weight changes place added strain on the heart, leading to kidney and vascular damage.
To mitigate these risks, the study’s authors recommend that weight-loss strategies for individuals with Type 1 diabetes focus on long-term weight stability rather than rapid fluctuations, as maintaining a steady weight may improve overall health outcomes.
Victoria Antoniou, EMJ
Reference
Camoin M et al. Body-weight cycling and risk of diabetic kidney disease in people with Type 1 diabetes in the DCCT/EDIC population. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2025;DOI:10.1210/clinem/dgae852.
